Marshall, TX — September 27, 2025, Ontarius Dudley was injured in a car accident at about 2:10 a.m. in the 900 block of Cox Road/County Road 1001.

A preliminary accident report indicates that a 2016 Ford Fusion was heading east when it hit a tree near 5 Notch Road.

Driver Ontarius Dudley, 35, was seriously injured in the crash, according to the report.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the Harrison County crash at this time.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

After any serious car accident, there’s a natural instinct to look for quick answers, something that makes sense of the chaos. But when facts are scarce, the real risk is that the deeper causes slip through the cracks. Understanding how and why someone ends up seriously hurt on a quiet road in the early hours means asking the right questions before the trail goes cold.

Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Single-vehicle crashes often receive less scrutiny, especially when no one else is involved and the damage appears straightforward. But even in a tree strike, the difference between a thorough investigation and a cursory one lies in how much effort went into understanding what the vehicle did before impact. Did investigators analyze speed and trajectory through scene mapping? Was the driver’s condition properly explored with supporting evidence? Some crash teams have the training and tools to dig deep; others might file the basics and move on. It’s not enough to just mark where the car landed.

Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? When a car leaves the roadway, there’s often an assumption that the driver made a mistake. But machines can fail too, especially as vehicles age. A sudden brake failure, a locked steering column or a malfunctioning sensor could easily result in a loss of control. Without a proper mechanical inspection, it’s impossible to know if a hidden defect played a role. If the vehicle was towed and released without being preserved for inspection, that chance may already be lost.

Has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Modern vehicles, including a 2016 Ford, can hold critical clues. Speed, brake application, steering input: these are all captured in the engine control module. A download of that data could confirm whether the driver tried to correct or slow down. Add in any cell phone activity, GPS trail or nearby surveillance footage, and a much clearer picture can emerge. Without that effort, it’s guesswork.

When serious injuries are involved, every angle deserves attention. Not because answers are easy, but because lives and futures depend on getting the facts right the first time.

Key Takeaways:

• Single-car crashes need full investigations, not quick assumptions.
• Mechanical issues should be ruled out before blaming driver error.
• Vehicle data can reveal key actions before the crash and must be secured.